Sunset Stories

Uncovering the Wonder Woman icon, to see what ticks

Who doesn't know Wonder Woman: the bodacious comic book super heroine who uses special powers to fight evil, and look drop-dead amazing while doing it.

She's a role model, an inspiration-- a true icon of our time. Not to mention, the subject of a hit TV series, and countless adult Halloween costumes.

But really, aside from the cuffs and the boots and hair, who is Wonder Woman?

I have no idea. Sadly, like many icons that have fallen victim before and since, the real story of the woman magically made from clay who brandishes the golden lasso of truth, is lost on many.

Unless you happen to have come across a fun and fiercely informative little article by Jodi Picoult in the December issue of Playboy Magazine, in which she wonders for us about Wonder Woman's identity (thereby consoling that we're not alone), and takes us along on her journey to find the answer.

Wonder Woman was born in 1941 by a revolutionary psychologist who invented the polygraph, believed women were more honest and better workers than men, and incidently, lived in a poly relationship with his wife and another woman.

She didn't need a guy to be happy, she had a job track that took her right to the US Presidency (though quickly regulated to the role of secretary), and who, among the male-dominated landscape of superheros, could kick Superman's ass.

So then why does Wonder Woman, invincible and strong, get continually dumbed down and stuffed into that impractical bustier outfit that hasn't been changed in 60 years? So as not to terrify male readers with a woman who's more than equal but superior, nor alienate female readers who'd find her too tough to identify with.

How to satisfy both readerships? With a female character that's managed to weather the storms of feminism? How to keep her relevant, and from the slipping into fate of mere sex symbol, that many others could not overcome?

Give her a woman writer for the first time ever. And make her more real, with vulnerabilities and struggles just like the rest of us. And oh, ok-- then she can keep that ridiculous outfit.

“Of all people, you know who I am… who the world needs me to be. I’m Wonder Woman.” --from Infinite Crisis #1

Women in Business: celebrating 1 year anniversary with an event on Communication

Over 40 business women, consultants, students, and even five men (the most to date), attended Monday evening's GABA Women in Business event, American Forms of Communication.

Professional Business Communications PhD Angelika Blendstrup started the roundtable with introductions to your neighbor, examples, and slides visualizing the American versus international methods of communication, and concluding with stories about female versus male forms of communication which sparked some very passionate discussion.

Herta Schreiner, Director Marketing Operations for Synopsis, said the communication nuances depend on the field in which you're working. Katie Renati, who runs the SF International Career Fair, begged to differ ("of course," acknowledged by Blendstrup with a smile "because  [Renati] is French.") A German woman who works for an Israeli company said she "learned how to jump in" from the last WIB event on negotiation for women. Later, Blendstrup noted that she liked the fact there were men in the audience, it helped get their ideas as well.

The roundtable was clearly engaged. And at the end of the evening, which marked its one year anniversary, the Women in Business dispersed into an enthusiastic networking reception, highlighted by camaraderie between friends, and new connections made.

People call me Tallulah but that's not my name

Finally, I have a chance to try on those liquid leggings spotted in the the store window months ago.

But alas, she tells me that they're very popular right now, and that there's only a size small and size medium left. Doesn't fit. But I do get a chance to chat up the lovely store owner Kimberly, a slender, dark-haired, 30-something who's wearing a silk floral scarf and faded three-quarter sleeve T-shirt, styled to match the antiquated-industrial of her store. We talk about downtown, and she says, look it's so dead here, with slight sarcasm in her laugh. Then tells me all about the next Art Hop on Saturday, January 24 from four to six. And that they're bringing back Thursday-night farmers market next year, since unruly bathroom-raiders and closing-early store owners put a stop to the food and craft vendors gathered on N Street.

And no, her name is not Tallulah Brigitta though it says so on the card. People call her Tallulah, and think she's from The City when she actually grew up in Livingston but she does like SF and the opportunity to dress how you want there without people thinking and saying you're a freak.

I take a flowery clothing boutique card from the disk on the counter. It's labeled Tallulah Brigitta, with a street address, website and myspace page but not her name, and promise to stop by her store in January if not before.